Big news for the Royal Canadian Navy!

The first two Naval Large Tugs, Haro and Barkerville, have arrived at CFB Esquimalt yesterday, July 25.

The tugs will be unloaded tomorrow and sent to Point Hope Shipyard where they will be brought up to operational state; this includes fueling and unbarring windows, among other preparations. Familiarization training for the POESB staff will commence on August 19 and will last two weeks.

These powerful new vessels are part of a fleet of four being built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Naval Large Tug #1 Haro

This name references the Haro Strait, which connects the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, and is frequently transited by Royal Canadian Navy vessels proceeding north from Esquimalt.

Naval Large Tug #2 Barkerville

This name honours the Second World War-era Ville-class tug of the same name, which capsized and sank at the entrance of Bedwell Harbour, on Dec. 17, 1945, while towing His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Hespeler to its mooring.

Key points:

• 60 tonnes of pulling force (compared to 18 tonnes of the old Glen-class tugs);
• Replacing two existing Glen-class tugs, Glendyne (YTB 640) and Glendale (YTB 641), along with the fire and rescue boat Firebrand (YTR 562) from the 1970s;
• Will support current and future RCN fleets on both coasts, including the six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, two Joint Support Ships, and 15 Canadian Surface Combatants.

These tugs will be essential for harbour operations, coastal towing, and firefighting. They’ll help maneuver larger ships, even in challenging weather conditions.

Stay tuned for the official DND acceptance at the end of August!